In a surprise move on Saturday, Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar said he was abandoning efforts to form a popular government in Bihar.

"I am withdrawing my efforts for formation of a government as chances of a government are bleak in view of Paswan's intransigence over taking support from non-Rashtriya Janata Dal parties," Kumar said at a press conference in Patna.

However, the move is being viewed in political circles as a tactical decision to expose Paswan who, they said, started the blame game holding JD(U) responsible for the impasse by not severing ties with BJP and help in govenment formation.